Hoyer Statement on the Dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial:

“The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial stands in tribute to Dr. King’s enduring message of hope, non-violence, and the tireless pursuit of justice. Through his perseverance and moral leadership, Dr. King helped make our nation, which had been painfully divided into separate and unequal parts, whole.

“It is fitting, even poetic, that among those who dedicated the memorial today was the first African American President of the United States. This milestone and the daily contributions to our society by African Americans leaders and pioneers in public service, business, science, education, and the arts form a living tribute greater than any fashioned in stone. Today, Americans of all races and creeds are working together to translate Dr. King’s dream into reality.

“The movement he led was not born in Montgomery or Birmingham. It did not start on a bus or by crossing a bridge. It began at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It began at Lexington and Concord. Dr. King’s struggle brought the blessings of liberty and the dignity of full citizenship to African Americans, and in doing so it pushed all of us forward on our common journey to reach a more just, more equal, and more perfect union. Guided by his legacy, we continue together on that path forward today.”